The BGI Fellowships:
An Exciting Opportunity for Russian-Speaking Students

Brandeis University is pleased to announce an exciting new scholarship opportunity for Russian-speaking students who wish to be of service to the Jewish community. The Brandeis-Genesis Institute for Russian Jewry (BGI) is offering merit scholarships of up to $7500 per year to a select number of students entering Brandeis in fall 2010.

The BGI is a new initiative at Brandeis University that provides financial support, mentoring, special programming, support and related activities to Russian-speaking students. The BGI engages high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students, serving as a vital center for creating and strengthening a network of Russian-speaking students, supporting academic excellence, developing the field of Russian Jewish studies, connecting Russian-speaking students to their communities, and building bridges between Russian-speaking Jews and the broader Jewish community. The BGI is supported by the Genesis Philanthropy Group.

As a condition of their fellowship, Brandeis-Genesis Fellows make a commitment to participating in special events throughout the academic year that involve them in the Jewish community. These may include retreats, educational and cultural events, service projects, and other activities. BGI Fellows themselves will play a significant role in designing these activities. Participation in religious activities is not required.
Students applying to enter Brandeis as first-year students in the fall of 2010 will be considered for BGI fellowships. Each fellow will receive a merit award of $7500 per year above and beyond need-based financial aid. Qualified applicants must be Russian speakers, show academic promise, and show interest in issues of Jewish identity and service to the Jewish community.

Interested students should apply through the regular Brandeis University undergraduate admissions process, and should indicate their interest in the BGI fellowship within the parameters of the application form.

Further information about the BGI fellowships and the BGI generally is available at www.brandeis.edu/bgi. Please feel free to direct general questions about the BGI fellowship program to the BGI office at bgi@brandeis.edu or 781-736-8410.